The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-03
The brotherhood of Engineers.


Interview with Grand Chief Arthur.
THE object for which the Brotherhood was
organized, twenty years ago, said Chief Arthur.
'wss for the protection and mutual benefit of
it's members. both morally and intellectually,
and ii has no utilization with the Knights of
Labor with any other association. The
Brotherhood numbers now about p, 600 mem
bers. and its condition Is what may be termed
a healthy one in many respects. There are BAL
subdivisions. and they included in every
State and Territory Mexico and the British
Provinces grand chief of all / was
first appointed to Office and am now serving my
third elective term of Eve years.
The occasion that brings the Brotherhood
together here is purely social one. The meet
ing in the morning is merely for the transaction
of routine business. The meeting at Macaueys
Tbeater In the afternoon In a public one, and /
wish you would be kind enough to. state that the
citizens of Louisville are earnestly requested to
attend. At these public meetings, which are fire.
auent throughout the country, the members of the
Brotherhood seek to give exposition of the
aims and purposes of the organization. and show
what 1t has accomplished. The brotherhood has,
indeed, done good work and it's members are
proud Of what they have achieved. but aim still
higher. 1t has accomplished much in the inn
proyement Of the moral standing of the men by
restricting them and requiring them to live hon
Drable and upright lives. 1t has sought to i'm
prove them intellectually in numerous ways. IL
has cared for the needy and provided for the
destitute. The organization has insurance
ASSOCIATION connected with 1t, ana we nave paid
out So 000, 900 to widows and orphans of deceased
members. We have also main tanned good rate
of wages for men. This has been done by
its authorized representatives meeting with the
officers of railroads and talking the differences
over that may arise between them and the
gineers, and by further convincing them of our
good intentions by furnishing them with good,
sober and Industrious men.
I'VE uphold arbitration the only just
method of settling difficulties that may arise be-
tween Employers and employees. and we discoun-
tenance labor strikes We have never appealed
settlement of difficulty or difference. and only
then upon the refusal of railroad officials to
meet and treat with The procedure OF the
brotherhood in dealing with disputes that may
arise between engineers and their employers is
to have committee wait upon the railroad
officials and exhaust all their efforts to have a
reaceable adjustment Failing to do SO they
then call upon the Grand Chief Of the Brother
hood 1t is his duty to seek an audience with
the officers and exhaust all honorable means in
ais power effect amicable adjustment, and
we have been successful in every case that has
been submitted to MS during the past ten years.
"For the past ten years arnicable feeling
has existed between the brotherhood and the
officials of the railroads throughout the country.
They have shown disposition to treat with us
and grant us every reasonable request, and we
have never made an unfair or unreasonable re-
quest. Having been practical engineer myself
for twenty years. am able to grasp the merits
of any case submitted me. ard my rule has
always been, DO unto others as you would be
done by.
THE organization differs very much from
other trades or workingmens unions, II we are
TO be cataogued SUCH We don't interfere
with a VINO is employed by company be-
cause he does not belong our Brotherhood;
would we interfere with any in his eff
forts TO obtain employment"